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Malaga, Costa del Sol, Spain » Entertainment » Festivals

Malaga (like all of Spain) celebrates and honours many religious and special events that take place throughout the calendar year. These events are a major draw, allowing tourists to freely celebrate in the festivities of Malaga.

Large carnivals and parades take place in the city centre entertaining children and adults alike. The parades usually last for two days, from the 5-6th of January, and the children receive gifts on the last day.

FEBRUARY

This event takes place prior to the holy 40 days of Lent every February. People dressed in traditional costumes join the festivities, which include Flamenco dancing, and a parade. One more highlights of this festival are the stalls selling traditional pottery and artefacts. Various contests are held like Queen of the Carnival and the Carnival Singing Contest where local people get to show off their talents. There's also a Fancy Dress Contest organized especially for children.

MARCH / APRIL

Holy Week is an ancient tradition in Malaga that dates back to the Catholic Monarchs and is celebrated during Easter. This week is an important time for Catholic Christians throughout Spain. The Holy Week that is celebrated in Malaga is very different from those celebrated in other parts of Spain. In contrast to meditation and silence, the festival here is full of happiness, processions and cheerfulness. During the huge processions that are held out in the city, paintings and sculptures of Christ are carried on decorated thrones. The festivities go on day and night.

MAY

JUNE

As summer starts in Malaga, the Feria del Libro book fair is held at Paseo del Parque in the month of June. You can view or buy various books, which include comics, encyclopaedias, second-hand books and some rare collector's items. If you are an avid book reader or collector, then this book fair is a must visit for you.

The Festival de Cine Español de Málaga was started in 1998 to promote Spanish films. Organized each year in June by Solomon Castiel, the films screened at the Cervantes theatre are open to all. Malaga born actor Antonio Baneras acts as the honorary president and this festival has now become a well respected event.

This festival is celebrated on the eve of San Juan at various places in and around the beaches of Malaga. But the main celebration takes place at Parque del Oeste where there are various musical performances, as well as firework displays. On San Juan, which is the longest day of the year and falls on the 23rd of June, most people enjoy campfires by the beach. It is a tradition to run into the sea to wash away evil spirits and be granted eternal beauty.

JULY

This is said to be the patron of the sea and the protector of seamen. On the 16th of July, the statue is paraded around the city and is then taken to the harbour where boats carry it out to the sea. The boats are elaborately decorated and celebrations are acknowledged with fireworks and loud horns.

AUGUST

The Malaga fair is celebrated on the Friday of the second half of August in honour of the merging of Malaga to the Castilian Crown due to the conquest by the Catholic Monarchs on 19thAugust 1487. The city's major summer festival starts with 30 minutes of light and fireworks display that is beautifully co-ordinated with classical music. This way, the Malaga locals who are waiting eagerly at the Central Park and Harbour, come to know that the fair has started. This grand summer fair goes on for nine days where everyone joins in the festivities as the music fills the atmosphere and people dressed in typical Andalusian outfits dance and enjoy the carnival. The fair becomes one big party with people sipping local wine and the fun continuing till the early hours of the morning.

The fair takes place to celebrate the harvest season in the second week of August. Conventionally, the celebrations start with firework displays as people join the festival on the streets. During the festival, Malaga people adorn traditional costumes and enact the traditional dance forms of 'malaguenas' and 'sevillanas'. One can have a bite of cheese, fish and ham, which forms the main course along with famous Malaga red wine.

SEPTEMBER

This day is celebrated to honour the event of Catholic Monarchs overtaking the power from Moors during the late 1400s. Known as Victoria Day in English, it is celebrated every year on September 8th, where a local celebrity makes a speech followed by parade from Nuestra Senora de la Victoria Church to the city centre. The Town Hall officials also join the parade. It is an exciting occasion and very different from the other festivals.

OCTOBER

This is the National holiday of Spanish heritage, and parades take place with celebrations lasting throughout the 12th of October. It celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in Americas on October 12, 1492.

DECEMBER

On 6th of December, Spain celebrates the anniversary of a new referendum passed in 1978 to approve of a new constitution. The day is important as on this day Spain transited to constitutional monarchy and democracy. On this day, the parliamentary buildings are kept open to the public.

On 8th of December, Catholics in Spain observe the Feast of the Immaculate Conception to celebrate the belief that Virgin Mary was kept free of original sin from the time she was conceived in the womb.

The Fiesta Mayor de Verdiales takes place every year on the 28th of December during when Spain's April Fool's Day is celebrated. On this day, in Venta San Cayetano del Puerto de la Torre, there is a competition among nearby villages to decide which troupe performs the best. Along with the competition, the festivities also start which last throughout the night. Food, wine and music are offered in masses and this can be the major reason why thousands of people turn up for the party.